It is so nice to have Mike Duffy back from hiatus. And to his question, the simple answer would be obviously no, we have dissected most subject to a fair-thee-well. And yes, we have the occasional food fight or off-topic digression. If we are to be all purist about this and stick to the topic of all golf architecture all the time, I personally think the site will dry up. It is the human context and texture that all of our individual interests, sensibilities and life experiences that come through in our writing as we make attempts to discuss the actual topic of this discussion board, where we can make the vital connection with writers and witnesses to various golf courses and the pursuit of playing and enjoying the game.
We all know that there are a few writers-contributors on GCA.com that can really do justice to describing golf courses and their architecture. (Mike, how many posts you had filed on courses in the both OZ and the Pacific Asia rim that brought much enjoyment years ago) Of course Ran has earned a high reputation for writing up course and sticking to the subject at hand. Many of the photo threads and tours GCA contibutors generously share are the heart of the site. But in my view, I need more to keep me coming back to GCA almost daily for all these years. I need connection. I need that human element of those quips, asides, off-topic comments, and even the anxt and sometimes exasperated debate on everything but GCA, to put a soul behind the words. That is when I get the better cue about what the writer is saying when they do describe or discuss GCA topics. Even the hot debates over dire politics to trivial matters serves to add context (as long as it doesn't become pedantic and without the writer ever actually participating for the golf course architecture primary reason to be here).
Newbies young and old come here all the time, drawn by the golf course architecture subject. Whilst much of this, if not damn near all of it is now old news to most of us long time members here, it is all fresh for the newcomers. And, if we who are a bit bored by some of the regurgitated stuff stick with it, we just may get connected with a new and fascinating person.... and that is surely worth the effort and time, in my humble opinion.